1 Corinthians 9:2

1 Corinthians 9:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
• New International Version (NIV)Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:2

1Don’t you agree that I’m a free man? Don’t you agree that I’m an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord? If I’m not an apostle to other people, at least I’m an apostle to you. You are the seal which proves that I am the Lord’s apostle. 3This is how I defend myself to those who cross-examine me. 4Don’t we have the right to eat and drink?

1 Corinthians 9:2 word by word

εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι· ἡ γὰρ σφραγίς μου τῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• I beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• notοὐou · noG3756
• an apostleἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• unto othersἄλλοςallos · anotherG243
• yetἀλλάalla · butG235
• doubtlessγέge · indeedG1065
• to youσύsu · youG4771
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• the sealσφραγίςsphragis · sealG4973
• of mineἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• apostleshipἀποστολήapostolē · apostleshipG651
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:2

• John 6:27Don’t work for food that spoils. Instead, work for the food that lasts into eternal life. This is the food the Son of Man will give you. After all, the Father has placed his seal of approval on him.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Do we have to show you our qualifications again? Do we, like some people, need letters that recommend us to you or letters from you that recommend us to others?
• 2 Corinthians 12:12While I was among you I patiently did the signs, wonders, and miracles which prove that I’m an apostle.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2If I be not an apostle unto others - If there be other Churches which have been founded by other apostles; yet it is not so with you. The seal of mine apostleship are ye - Your conversion to Christianity is God's seal to my apostleship. Had not God sent me, I could not have profited your souls. The or seal, was a figure cut in a stone, and that set in a ring, by which letters of credence and authority were stamped. The ancients, particularly the Greeks…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2If I be not an apostle unto others - “If I have not given evidence to others of my apostolic mission; of my being sent by the Lord Jesus, yet I have to you. Assuredly you, among whom I have labored so long and so successfully, should not doubt that I am sent from the Lord. You have been well acquainted with me; you have witnessed my endowments, you have seen my success, and you have had abundant evidence that I have been sent on this great work. It is…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2These four rhetorical questions expect a positive answer. The first question, following his discussion in 8:1–13, asserts Paul's freedom from Jewish ritual obligations. However, he later emphasizes (see 9:19–23) that he willingly follows Jewish practices to win them to Christ. The other three questions assert Paul's apostolic authority, which some in Corinth questioned. For you are the seal: For skeptics, Paul's apostolic calling was confirmed by his…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. yet doubtless--yet at least I am such to you. seal of mine apostleship--Your conversion by my preaching, accompanied with miracles ("the signs of an apostle," Ro 15:18, 19; 2Co 12:12), and your gifts conferred by me (1Co 1:7), vouch for the reality of my apostleship, just as a seal set to a document attests its genuineness (Joh 3:33; Ro 4:11).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:2

• Minister, Christian
• Paul

In the dictionaries

• In the Lord
• Crown
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Plow
• Seal
• Wait
• Apostle
• Church Government
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings